Power Train Problem on the 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Car problem(s) with the 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA.
This database includes information received by NHTSA from consumers either directly or as recorded by the Vehicle Safety Hotline. This information may be used by NHTSA during the investigation process.
You may file your own complaint by calling the NHTSA Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153. You can also file your complaint online.

Problem with Power Train

Jan 09, 2015 - Des Plaines, IL - Power Train
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION OF JETTAS ONCE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE STALLED I WAS LUCKY AS THERE WERE NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME OTHER WISE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC SITUATION FOR BOTH ME AND THE DRIVER BEHIND ME. I PULL OVER THE SHOULDER AND WAITED AND STARTED THE VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AFTER SOME TIME. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR ALL THE JETTAS VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND THEY EXTENDED THE WARRENTY FOR SOMETIME. THIS PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY HAPPENS AFTER CERTAIN MILES. I AM OUT OF THIS COVERAGE AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WOULD REQUEST THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL SO THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH ANY ONE ELSE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Dec 16, 2014 - Salt Lake City, UT - Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Nov 18, 2014 - Tarzana, CA - Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,500.

Nov 08, 2014 - Cape Coral , FL - Power Train
I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2012 AND ON THE WAY HOME I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WASN'T SHIFTING AT THE APPROPRIATE TIMES AND THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. AFTER I GOT HOME I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASK THEM OF THE CAR HAD ANY PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, HE SAID NO AND NATURALLY I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS COMPATABLE. 2 YEARS LATER I AM NOW HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND I DID RESEARCH AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE I HAVE MY CAR AND ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE I AM. THAT BEING SAID THIS ISN'T A COINCIDENCE AND I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION I WASN'T TWO YEARS AGO HAVING TO PAY $1200 FOR A FIXED OR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE REASON I KNOW THIS IS WHEN THE CAR IS IN FIRST IT DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT TO SECOND AND HAS A BUMP AT EVERY OTHER GEAR.IF IT WAS JUST ME I WOULD UNDERSTAND BUT THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORUMS THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED PEOPLE. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW TO DISSATISFIED I AM ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I LOVE MY CAR AND I CAN'T KEEP AFFORDING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I HOPE THIS CAN BE FIXED IN THE FAVOR OF THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS THANK YOU.

Oct 10, 2014 - Maineville, OH - Power Train
I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES ON MY 2005.5 VW JETTA FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS WITH IT SHIFTING HARD OR NOT GOING INTO GEAR. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN, SO MUCH TO THE POINT THAT I WILL NOT LET MY DAUGHTER OR WIFE DRIVE THE CAR AS I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE FOR THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WOULD JUST SIT THERE AND REV, BUT NEVER ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR IT WOULD SHIFT SO HARD THAT THEY FELT LIKE THEY HAD WHIPLASH. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH THE PRICE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $3-5K, PROBABLE CLOSE TO $7K IF YOU GO TO THE DEALER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND VW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SO FAR NOT WILLING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT TAKE A PERSON DYING FOR THEM TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL VW OWNER FOR YEARS, BUT AM NOT WILLING TO RISK THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY FOR A COMPANY WHO DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CONSUMERS. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.

Jun 19, 2014 - Gilbert, AZ - Power Train
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN EARLY 65K MILE SERVICE BECAUSE I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY & WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I THOUGHT HAVING THE 85K SERVICE DONE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT, IT DIDN'T & IT GOT WORSE, SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VALVE BODY WAS FAULTY & THAT IT WOULD COST $1000+ TO FIX. I JUST PAID OVER $1000 FOR THE K MAINTENANCE & OTHER REPAIRS; I CAN'T AFFORD THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE. [XXX], IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS ??NOT THAT BAD, ...THAT THEY SEE MUCH WORSE, ?WON'T BE A PROBLEM TO KEEP DRIVING IT...?. I WASN'T CONVINCED THAT A MALFUNCTIONING VALVE BODY WOULDN'T CAUSE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS, BECAUSE WHEN I AM DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO DROP OUT OF THE CAR & THE CAR HESITATES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NOT SAFE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

May 16, 2014 - Sacramento, CA - Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN AN ACCIDENT IN FRONT OF ME CAUSED ME TO ABRUPTLY STOP. IN ORDER FOR ME TO BACK UP AND GO AROUND, I HAD TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE AND PUSH IT BACKWARDS DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC.

Feb 01, 2014 - Saint Louis, MO - Power Train
THE CAR WOULD BUCK AND BUCK THEN GO INTO GEAR , THEN IT WOULD BUCK GET STUCK IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR I WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF LET IT SIT THEN TURN IT BACK ON . THE PRNDS PANEL WOULD ALL LIGHT UP AND STAY ON AND SOMETIMES GO OFF IF THE CAR SAT FOR LIKE 2-3 DAYS BUT THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON AND THE CAR WOULD DO THE SAME THING . THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT THE MECHANIC STATED THE 3RD OR 4TH GEAR WAS STRIPPED AND THAT IT WILL COST ME ANYWHERE FROM 4K TO7K TO GET IT FIXED.

Dec 22, 2013 - Washington, DC - Power Train
I HAVE A VW JETTA 2005 THAT HAS THE 2.5 ENGINE. FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED SHIFTING GEARS BY ITSELF IN HARD SHIFTS, MOSTLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND AT ODD TIMES. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE VWS AND REQUIRED A TRANSMISSION REBUILD. (I'VE HEARD THAT A NUMBER OF TIME). I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT A COST OF $4,000 TO END THE PROBLEM.

Dec 18, 2013 - Fairfield, CA - Power Train
I WROTE TO YOU ABOUT A MONTH AGO ABOUT RECALLING THE 2005 JETTA. NOTHING CAME OUT OF IT. IT IS MY FIRM BELIEF THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. GOOGLE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 JETTA AND YOU WILL SEE TONS ABOUT COMPLAINTS REGARDING THEIR TRANSMISSION WOES. PLEASE BE OBJECTIVE IN YOUR INVESTIGATION.

Nov 05, 2013 - Fairfield, CA - Power Train
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A FIRST OWNER IN 2010 FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS THEN A SENIOR AT UC DAVIS. NO PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST 2 YEARS BUT 2013 SEEMS TO BE THE BEGINNING OF SOME PROBLEMS. THE MOST MAJOR ONE IS THE TRANSMISSION. THERE IS A SLIPPAGE ON 2ND, 3RD, AND 4TH GEARS. THERE IS A JOLT ACCOMPANYING THE SLIPPAGE AND IF THERE IS A BABY ONBOARD, I PROBABLY FEEL THE BABY WILL BE SUFFERING SOME KIND OF PAIN. CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL AND SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 JETTA BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

Oct 14, 2013 - Elmhurst , IL - Power Train
07/22/13 I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN EARLY 100K MILE SERVICE BECAUSE I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY & WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I THOUGHT HAVING THE 100K SERVICE DONE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT, IT DIDN'T & IT GOT WORSE, SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VALVE BODY WAS FAULTY & THAT IT WOULD COST $1000+ TO FIX. I JUST PAID OVER $1000 FOR THE 100K MAINTENANCE & OTHER REPAIRS; I CAN'T AFFORD THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE. [XXX], IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, STATED THAT THE ISSUE WAS ??NOT THAT BAD, ...THAT THEY SEE MUCH WORSE, ?WON'T BE A PROBLEM TO KEEP DRIVING IT...?. I WASN'T CONVINCED THAT A MALFUNCTIONING VALVE BODY WOULDN'T CAUSE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS, BECAUSE WHEN I AM DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO DROP OUT OF THE CAR & THE CAR HESITATES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NOT SAFE! I DID SOME RESEARCH, FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VALVE BODY, HOWEVER, I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION IN ANYWAY REGARDING THIS, EVEN WHEN MY CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR SERVICE. I CONTACTED VW HEADQUARTERS & SPOKE TO [XXX] 8/30/13 WHO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VALVE BODY, APOLOGIZED THAT I DIDN'T RECEIVED NOTIFICATION, THEN INDICATED THAT VW COULD NOT HELP ME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE & SHOULD BE COVERED BY VW. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE CONTACT ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Aug 06, 2013 - Prescott Valley, AZ - Power Train
2005.5 JETTA--VEHICLE HAS ROUGH SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. AS WELL AS DOWNSHIFTING. WHILE DRIVING ON A MOUNTAINSIDE, GOING 65 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, WITH CARS FLYING BY ME. THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS UNTIL TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN. THIS IS NOW HAPPENING DURING REGULAR ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AS I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF POWER/SPEED.

Apr 04, 2013 - Easton , PA - Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Mar 18, 2013 - Houston, TX - Power Train
MY 2005 VW JETTA GLI STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING @ 35-MPH. AFTER PULLING OVER AND OPENING THE HOOD TO ASSESS DAMAGE, I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY BUT ALL I HEARD WAS THE STARTER BEING ENGAGED. ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THE TIMING BELT BROKE/SNAPPED. I WAS SKEPTICAL BECAUSE MY OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS TIMING BELTS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 110,000 MILES ACCORDING TO VW'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. DURING REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT MY VALVES WERE BENT BECAUSE THE 1.8T IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE WHICH MEANS THAT CAMS, ROCKERS AND LIFTERS MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE CYLINDER HEAD TO BE SENT TO A MACHINE SHOP FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. TOTAL COSTS = $3,865.66. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VW TIMING BELTS BUT I WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BY THE ADMINISTER/CUSTODIAN CLAIMS WERE NO LONGER ACCEPTED AFTER 2009. I SPOKE WITH [XXX] AT VW CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-822-8987 WHO SAID THERE ARE NO TIMING BELT RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND SEE OTHER IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AT HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/VOLKSWAGEN/T33RHDPDVBRPO8D2P/P3 FOR MORE INFORMATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Jan 31, 2013 - Port St Lucie, FL - Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO SLAM THE TRUNK SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO CLOSE PROPERLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK AND THE OPEN DOOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,375. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 UPDATED 03/11/13

Jan 09, 2013 - Brooklyn, NY - Power Train
HI, SO MY 2005.5 2.5L VOLKSWAGEN JETTA STARTED MAKING NOISES UPON ACCELERATION AND THE ENGINE WOULD SHIFT QUITE HEAVILY DURING IDLING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIMING CHAINS OF THE ENGINE. NEVER MISSED A MAINTENANCE, AFTER ONLY 68,000 MILES IT DOESN'T SEEM OKAY THAT TIMING CHAINS ARE ALREADY AFFECTED. AFTER LOOKING AT A FEW FORUMS ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS FROM THAT TIME. PLEASE INVESTIGATE! THANK YOU.

Nov 13, 2012 - Laurens, SC - Power Train
I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 10-8-2012 UP IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA AND DROVE IT BACK HOME TO MY HOUSE IN SC. EVERYTHING WAS FINE ON THE WAY HOME. THE VERY NEXT DAY ON MY WAY INTO WORK THE CAR HESITATED WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR AND THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1ST GEAR WHICH MADE THE CAR DE-ACCELERATE FROM 35-40MPH TO 10MPH WITHIN 40 FEET OR SO. THE ENGINE REVVED TO 6000 PLUS RPMS WHICH SCARED ME BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE BIG TRUCK THAT WAS TOWING A TRAILER THAT HAD TO SKID OFF THE ROAD AND GO AROUND ME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOW A DAILY OCCURRENCE. I CARRY MY 16 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AROUND IN THIS CAR AND I'M SCARED TO DEATH THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO SMASH INTO THE BACK OF US. I'VE STARTED PULLING OFF THE ROAD AND LETTING CARS GO TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. PLEASE HELP!

Aug 20, 2012 - Redwoord Valley, CA - Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH AND THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHO STATED THAT THE DMF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. ....UPDATED 10/11/12 THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PRE-EXISTING SYMPTOMS THAT THE DEALER DISMISSED. UPDATED 10/16/2012

May 02, 2012 - Pasadena, MD - Power Train
VEHICLE HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION, DRIVER SELECTED FIRST GEAR AT AN INTERSECTION, PULLED AWAY FROM LIGHT WHEN IT CHANGED TO GREEN, TRIED TO CHANGE TO SECOND GEAR, HOWEVER GEAR LEVER STUCK IN FIRST GEAR, WOULD NOT MOVE INTO NEUTRAL, LUCKILY DRIVER HAD ENOUGH FORWARD MOMENTUM TO CLEAR INTERSECTION AND ROLL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WITH ENGINE RUNNING DRIVER IS UNABLE TO SELECT A GEAR, ONLY WAY TO PUT TRANSMISSION INTO A GEAR IS TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, VEHICLE TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR REPAIR, CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE HAD CRACKED IN HALF.

Mar 05, 2012 - Apex, NC - Automatic Transmission
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO MISFIRE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE B VALVE, THE GLOW PLUG AND THE GLOW PLUG HARNESS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE DIRECT SHIFT GEARBOX UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A RECALL FOR THE 2009-2010 MODELS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V333000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2005 MODEL VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 04/02/12

Nov 03, 2011 - Cedarburg, WI - Power Train
2005 .5 MODEL YEAR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI (TURBODIESEL) WITH AUTOMATIC (DSG) TRANSMISSION. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING CAR, THE TRANSMISSION WILL FOR NO REASON SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND ALL TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHTS 'PRNDS' WILL FLASH SIMULTANEOUSLY. SO FAR, IF ENGINE IS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL AGAIN FUNCTION NORMALLY. I BELIEVE THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES NOW. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CAR WAS IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN IT BECAME IMMOVABLE WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.I CAN SEE THAT THERE IS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF INFO ON MANY VW INTERNET SITES ABOUT THIS ISSUE, IN FACT IF YOU SIMPLY GOOGLE 'VW DSG FLASHING PRNDS' OR 'VW DSG TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS' ANYONE CAN FIND IT. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I SEE THAT HHTSA HAS BEGUN AN INVESTIGATION BASED ON THIS FOR 2007 THRU 2009 MODEL YEARS, OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM ON 2005/2006 VW WITH DSG TRANSMISSION AS WELL. VW HAS INITIATED A NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS CUSTOMER CONCERNS RELATED TO CERTAIN DSG EQUIPPED MODELS BUT APPARENTLY MINE (AND MANY OTHERS) ARE NOT COVERED THEY SAY BY THIS PROGRAM- NEVERTHELESS A SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS WITH 2005 AND 2006 DSG EQUIPPED VW'S. I CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE (NATIONAL) TODAY 11/3/11 AND REP SAID "I AM NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE' FOR THIS YEAR- SO THEY ARE EITHER LYING OR INCREDIBLY UNDERINFORMED. I HAD THE CAR TO VW DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, AND THEY STATED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED A MALFUNCTION IN A PART THAT CONTROLS TRANSMISSION OPERATION AND WAS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF. THEIR RECOMMENDATION, "SPEND $2000 TO REPLACE THE PART, OR JUST GET A NEW TRANSMISSION = $4000. SINCE THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY RELATED DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL- I FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD EXPAND THE INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE ALL YEARS OF VW DSG TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED VEHICLES SOLD IN THE USA.

Oct 13, 2011 - Olive Branch, MS - Power Train
3 OCT 2011: THIS VEHICLE'S FLYWHEEL ASSY FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED IN A NON-CONGESTED AREA. AFTER THE EVENT, I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON DSG TRANSMISSIONS AS INSTALLED ON A VARIETY OF VW MODELS. VW DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE FOR MODEL YEARS 2005 / 2006. I AM ONE OF THE LUCKIER ONES AS I REGULARLY MAKE LONG DISTANCE - INTERSTATE TRIPS WITH FAMILY IN-TOW. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO ACCEPT FULL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO NOT ONLY TAKE CARE OF CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH LOW-TIME FAILURES BUT, ALSO, EXPAND ANY RECALL THAT MAY BE IN-PLACE FOR LATER MODELS SO AS TO PREVENT POTENTIAL LIFE-THREATENING ACCIDENTS WITHIN THE OVERALL DRIVING POPULATION. I HAD BEEN DRIVING A "TIME BOMB" FOR ALMOST 5 YEARS AND, TO DATE, VOLKSWAGEN OF NORTH AMERICA HAS ONLY ISSUED A LIMITED RECALL FOR LATER MODELS, THE 2008-2010, I BELIEVE. THIS EPISODE WILL COST AT LEAST $3000.00 USD AND NONE OF IT IS COVERED BY VOLKSWAGEN. WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS AND HOW DO I KNOW THAT MY REPLACEMENT DSG TRANSMISSION WILL NOT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS HAPPENING AGAIN CAUSING POTENTIAL VEHICLE, PROPERTY, AND PERSONAL DAMAGE IN THE FORM OF A VEHICLE "MISHAP".???

Jul 06, 2011 - Raleigh, NC - Power Train
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE RETURNING HOME AFTER SHOPPING. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. DIAGNOSIS WAS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ENGINE DUE TO A TIMING CHAIN JUMP ON A 72K MILE, 2.5 LITER, 2005 VW JETTA TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE.

Jun 16, 2011 - Maywood, CA - Automatic Transmission
I HAVE A 2005 NEW JETTA AND AT AROUND 60,000 MILES IT SHIFTS HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. IT ALSO DOWNSHIFTS ABRUPTLY. THE HARD JERKING SCARES ME WHEN DRIVING BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AT SOME POINT VW HAS TO REALIZE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I GOT THE RECALL LETTER ABOUT THE VALVE BODY AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO A VW DEALER FOR SERVICE I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR DIDN'T HAVE A VALVE BODY ISSUE. THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. COST $6,000. I CONTACTED VW BY PHONE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. NOW AT CLOSE TO 70,000 MILES THE JERKING HAS WORSEN AND I HAVE BECOME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR WHILE I'M DRIVING IT.

Jun 07, 2011 - Jefferson City, MO - Automatic Transmission
I PURCHASED A 2005 NEW JETTA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN JULY OF 2010. IT CURRENTLY HAS 72,000 MILES. 3 ISSUES. ONE, WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED UP, A CLANGING NOISE OCCURS AND LASTS FOR APPROX 30 SECONDS, THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE A VENT CLOSES AND THE SOUND GOES AWAY. TWO, THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF SOMETIMES WHEN I PULL ALONG SIDE A CURB. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR, BACK THE CAR UP, THEN PULL THE CAR FORWARD TO GET IT TO TURN OFF. THE THIRD ITEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY NOT ALWAYS AND INVOLVES SHIFTING OF GEARS. WHEN THE CAR IS GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR, IT SEEMS TO BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR A LITTLE ROUGH BUT NOT JERKY AND SOMETIMES WHEN COASTING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION THE CAR SEEMS TO HESITATE WHEN I AM READY TO PUSH ON THE GAS. BUT THEN, AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS, ENGAGES INTO GEAR WITH A LUNGE. I RECENTLY TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR ANALYSIS AND THE MAN SAID HE COULD NOT PRODUCE ANY CODES. I TOLD HIM I HAD RECEIVED THE LETTER ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION'S VALVE BODY WARRANTY EXTENSION. HE DROVE THE CAR AND SAID THE CAR DEFINITELY LUNGES AND TOLD ME TO GET IT TO A VW DEALERSHIP FOR A CHECK UP AS HE WAS NOT AN AUTHORIZED VW TECH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH IS 2 HOURS AWAY FROM MY HOME. THEY DROVE THE CAR 3 SEPARATE TIMES TRYING TO PRODUCE THE SCENARIO I DESCRIBED BUT COULD NOT. THE TECH TOLD ME IT SOUNDED LIKE I WAS DESCRIBING THE VALVE BODY ISSUE AND HE WOULD TELL THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT HE HAD FELT THE PROB AND THAT MY CAR NEEDED A NEW VALVE BODY. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR, THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE ABOVE 20 MPH WITHOUT THE ENGINE ROARING AND THE SHIFTING HARD INTO GEAR EVERYTIME. ME AND MY DAUGHTER HAD PULLED OUT INTO A VERY BUSY 40 MPH TRAFFIC. IT WAS SCARY. AT ONE POINT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR! I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG. NEXT DAY, THEY TOLD ME MY CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AT MY COST OF $5000. WHAT HAPPEN?

May 19, 2011 - Las Cruces, NM - Power Train
HARD SHIFTING, IT HARD SHIFTS AND IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE VALVE BODY BUT VOLKSWAGEN DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT IS A FEW MILES OVER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY WHEN I HAVE READ MANY THINGS SAYING THAT VOLKSWAGEN WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VALVE BODY.

Apr 07, 2011 - Wildomar , CA - Power Train
JETTA 2005.5 SEDAN (AUTOMATIC) HARD SHIFTED BETWEEN 2ND & 3TH GEARS, DISPLAYING SHUDDERING AND HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC. SINCE OCTOBER 2010 HARD SHIFTING HAS CONTINUED DAILY AND FREQUENCY OF SHIFTING HESITATION ISSUE HAS WORSENED. HARD SHIFTING WITH HESITATION UP BETWEEN 3TH AND 4TH, AND ALSO HARD SHUDDERING DOWNSHIFT BETWEEN 3RD AND 2ND. DEALER HOOKED VEHICLE TO COMPUTER ON FEB 14, 2011 AND STATED TRANSMISSION HAS NO ERRORS. DEALER WOULD NOT TEST DRIVE FOR LONGER THAN 4 MILES, DEALER STATED HARD SHIFT DID NOT OCCUR IN THAT 4 MILE PERIOD, TEST WAS NOT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, OWNER WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATES VEHICLE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR VALVE FIX. VEHICLE SHIFTING FAILURE IS HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS HIGHWAY CONDITION.

Feb 05, 2011 - Georgia, GA - Automatic Transmission
I HAVE A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE BATTERY BLEW UP UNDER THE HOOD. TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT JUMPED TIMING TOOLS AND PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED THIS TOOK THREE MONTHS AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING THE VOLKSWAGEN MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND IS 8 MILES OVER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NO FIX THE CAR.

Jan 25, 2011 - Haltomcity, TX - Automatic Transmission
2005 JETTA GLI - THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF AN OIL SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING COMPLETELY AND WILL STOP WORKING IN THE ROAD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I REPORTED TO VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID IT WAS TOO BAD YOU NEED TO FIX IT. NEED YOUR HELP ON THIS MATTER PLEASE HELP.

Dec 20, 2010 - Richmond, VA - Driveline, Driveshaft
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE BOLTS FROM THE DRIVESHAFT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE LOOSE. THE ENGINE WAS ON BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Dec 15, 2010 - Saugus, CA - Automatic Transmission
THERE IS A LONG RUNNING ISSUE WITH THE 2005 1/2 VW JETTA V TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE TRANS GETS HOT SITTING IN TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEAR OR SHIFTS VERY HARD OR WILL NOT SHIFT AT ALL AND MAY CAUSE A REAR END ACCIDENT AS THE JETTA DOES NOT SHIFT. VW AMERICA DOES KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES OR 7 YEARS. BUT AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH THERE ARE JETTA'S THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT HAVE MILEAGE OVER THE 100,000 MILES. WHEN YOU CALL VW, THEY REFUSE TO HELP AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE THAT OWN THEIR PRODUCT. THERE IS ALSO ISSUES WITH PREMATURE BRAKE LIGHT BULBS AND HEAD LIGHT BULBS BURNING OUT.

Nov 15, 2010 - Williamstown, KY - Power Train
WE RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (THE NEWER DESIGN ALSO COINCIDED 2005.5) FROM A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL IN MARCH 2010. WE NOTICED THERE WAS A SLIGHT PROBLEM WITH SHIFTING GEARS THAT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. IN JUNE 2010 WE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD US IT SOUNDED LIKE THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL WAS THE PROBLEM. THAT THERE WAS 2 DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS THAT MAKE THE FLYWHEELS AND THEY NO LONGER USE ONE OF THE MANUFACTURERS DUE TO DEFECTS AND PROBLEMS WITH THE FLYWHEELS THEY MADE. THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THE FLYWHEELS WERE BAD AND WOULD NEED REPLACED WAY BEFORE THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO. EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS KNOWN BY VOLKSWAGEN THEY REFUSED TO FIX REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. THEY SAID WE COULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT AND BUT WOULD CONTINUE TO GET WORSE AND END UP TEARING UP ALOT OF OTHER STUFF IF IT DID. WE LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, THOUGH NO RECALL. WE ALSO READ WHERE IF THE FLYWHEEL LOCKED UP/CAME APART WHILE DRIVING IT COULD LOCKUP THE ENTIRE CAR. WE DID COME ACROSS WHERE THE FLYWHEEL HAD BEEN RECALLED IN EUROPE. THE CAR WAS DROVE TILL NOVEMBER 2010 WHEN IT HAD GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD DOWNSHIFT ON HILLS AND WHEN YOU WOULD TRY TO GET UP SPEED TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR( BUT THE RPMS WERE NORMAL) AND WAS FORCED TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE AT A VERY SLOW AND UNSAFE SPEED. THE ENGINE ALSO HAD A VERY LOUD CHATTER NOISE. WE DECIDED TO HAVE IT FIXED AND REPLACED THE FLYWHEEL ASSY & MOUNT BOLTS AND HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED AND REFILLED AND A NEW FILTER PUT IN. TOTALING $1423.00. THE NEW FLYWHEEL WAS NOT THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL ONE. IT NOW RUNS GREAT. SHIFTS PERFECTLY AND SMOOTHLY.

Jul 07, 2010 - Saugus, CA - Automatic Transmission
WHEN SITTING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD IN AND OUT OF THE SHIFTING SEQUENCE. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE TRANSMISSION WILL TAKE A FEW SECONDS TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND THUMP VERY HARD. AFTER CALLING A VW DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE NEW JETTA'S AND BEETLES. ALSO THERE IS VERY HEAVY CRAZING WITH THE HEAD LAMP FIXTURES AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND CAUSES SERIOUS IMPAIRMENT AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE ON.

Apr 14, 2010 - Havre De Grace, MD - Power Train2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI SEDAN - ENGINE RAN ROUGH AND NOTICED SLIPPAGE AND HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION FROM FULL STOP. REPEATED RESULTS FROM REPAIR SHOP VISITS FOUND NO PROBLEM, WAS TOLD THIS WAS "NORMAL"... THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL HWY SPEED. A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. VISIT TO DEALER CONFIRMED CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL, CAUSING COLLATERAL DAMAGE TO ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS FROM $5K TO $15K. VW AND THE DEALER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE DUE TO VEHICLE OUTSIDE OF MANF WARRANTY PERIOD, DESPITE CAR BEING WELL MAINTAINED BY THE BOOK. RESEARCH ON OWNERS FORUMS AND WEB SHOWS THIS SAME ISSUE IS PREVALENT IN THE 2005-2009 MODEL YEARS. FOUND OVER 3000+ INSTANCES FROM OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE FROM AS LITTLE AS 15K MILES OF USE....ITS CLEAR THIS IS A MANF DEFECT IN THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL AND THAT VW HAS NOT RECOGNIZED THIS...

Dec 12, 2009 - Shoreview, MN - Automatic Transmission
WE HAVE A 2005 JETTA TDI AUTOMATIC. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AT EVERY INTERVAL BY VW. WE HAVE HAD A COMMON CONCERN ABOUT THE CAR MOVING FORWARD IN DRIVE IN ERRATIC FASHION WHEN COLD AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS. WE INFORMED VW ABOUT THIS CONCERN AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. LAST WEEK MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET IT STARTED BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. WE HAD IT TOWED TO OUR VW DEALER WHO INFORMED US THAT IT WOULD COST $600.00 JUST TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. WE GAVE THEM THE GO AHEAD AND A DAY LATTER THEY INFORMED US THAT THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAS DISINTEGRATED WHICH IN TURN DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DMF APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW'S IN GENERAL. IN EUROPE VW WILL FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE, BUT NOT IN THE US. WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM VW ON WHAT IF ANYTHING THEY WILL DO. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS NO HELP IN THIS MATTER, EXCEPT TO TELL US IT WAS NOT COVERED. STAY TUNED AS WE ENTER THE TWILIGHT ZONE OF DESIGN DEFECTS WITH VW!

Nov 16, 2009 - Columbia, SC - Manual Transmission
ON 11/11/09, I PARKED MY CAR ON MY APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT. I LEFT MY CAR IN FIRST GEAR AS A SAFETY MEASURE. NEXT MORNING (11/12/09) I TRIED TO START MY CAR, BUT THE CAR WAS LOCKED IN FIRST GEAR EVEN AFTER PRESSING THE PEDAL CLUTCH. THE CAR DID NOT TURN ON BUT STALLED AND MOVE SLIGHTLY FORWARD. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE HAND BREAK ON. IF I DID NOT HAVE THE PARKING BREAK ON, I WOULD HAVE MOVED FORWARD INTO A BUSH IN FRONT OF MY PARKING LOT SPACE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR, SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL GEAR AND TURN THE CAR ON. THE CAR TURNED ON AND I THOUGHT I SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I PUT THE CAR ON REVERSE, TO EXIT MY PARKING LOT SPACE AND AGAIN THE CAR STALLED AND MOVED BACKWARDS. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO CAR OR PEOPLE BEHIND ME. AT THAT POINT I REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT ENGAGE THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR AND THAT THE CLUTCH WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. MY CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE CLUTCH WOULD FAIL SO EARLY IN LIFE. I READ IN MANY FORUMS THAT THE 05-06 VW JETTA HAS A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH AND IT COULD BE HAZARDOUS FOR PEOPLE IF THE CLUTCH FAILS WHILE DRIVING. MY CLUTCH DID NOT GIVE ME ANY SIGNAL OF WEAR AND TEAR, NO SOUNDS OR DIFFICULTY WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS WORKING VERY WELL ONE DAY AND NEXT DAY IT BROKE DOWN. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER EXPECTED TO BE A SMALL FIX, SINCE THE CLUTCH WAS NORMALLY OPERATING ON 11/11/09 AND IT SUDDENLY FAILED ON 11/12/09. AFTER A REVIEW, THE DEALER IS CHARGING ME $2200, BECAUSE THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH, THE FLYWHEEL AND THE PRESSURE PLATE. IT APPEARS THAT A VW FAULTY PRODUCT IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT VW DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THEIR MISTAKE.

Jun 02, 2009 - Louisville, KY - Automatic Transmission
THE VOLKSWAGEN TDI 1.9L ENGINE WHEN COUPLED TO THE DSG( DIRECT SHIFT GEAR) TRANSMISSION HAS AN EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE DMF (DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL). FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 10K AND 100K MILES. THE INTERNAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLYWHEEL IS IMPROPER AND WILL SEPARATE LEADING TO THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE UNIT. WHEN THE UNIT FAILS IT CAUSES A VERY SPECIFIC AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES. THE DMF CAN SEPARATE AND THEN FRACTURE INTO LARGE SHRAPNEL TYPE PIECES. THIS SHRAPNEL WILL THE CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION AND POSSIBLY THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. WHEN THE SEIZURE OCCURS IS CAUSES THE FRONT TIRES TO LOCK AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH. THE SHRAPNEL CAN ALSO CAUSE THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE RESULTING IT THE LOSS OF PRESSURIZED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS FLUID CAN CONTACT THE TURBOCHARGER AND RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IS COMMON AS WELL. VWA(VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA) IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS REDESIGNED THE DMF. THE NEW DESIGN HAS NOT FAILED. THE DMF HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND AUSTRALIA AS A SAFETY CONCERN . VWA HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN NOT COVERING THIS REPAIR UNDER EVEN IT'S STANDARD WARRANTY. NO VOLUNTARY RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I CURRENTLY HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF THE FAILED PART AVAILABLE. THIS MODEL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH ON A LARGE SCALE IF NOT ADDRESSED.

Feb 18, 2009 - Inver Grove Heights, MN - Power Train
ON FEBRUARY 16TH WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS I PULLED THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH FOR LUNCH, CAR WAS RUNNING AND SOUNDED JUST FINE, AFTER PULLING AWAY I HEARD A LOUD "SHRIEKING" NOISE AND THEN A CLUNK, THE CAR LOST POWER AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE ADJACENT PARKING LOT AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, I WAITED A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTARTED THE CAR IT STARTED JUST FINE BUT SEEMED TO BE IDLING A LITTLE ROUGH, I SHIFTED CAR INTO DRIVE AND LIGHTLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE GRINDING NOISE WAS PRESENT SO I PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, CALLED AAA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP THEN CALLED ME LATER THAT AFTERNOON AND INFORMED ME THAT THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAD SEPARATED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, THEY QUOTED ME $1800 FOR THE REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAD THE PART IN STOCK AND I APPROVED THE REPAIR. THE CAR JUST HAD 64,381 MILES AND I THOUGH IT WAS ODD THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED, I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A "KNOWN" FAILURE. SINCE THE WARRANTY "JUST" EXPIRED I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I CONTACTED VW0FA AND THEY TOOK THE INFORMATION BUT DID STATE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, I UNDERSTAND THAT BUT IT APPEARS THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED! I HAD JUST EXITED THE INTERSTATE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE OUTCOME IF I STAYED ON THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH AND THIS COMPONENT FAILED?

Feb 03, 2009 - Central Islip, NY - Automatic Transmission, Lever And Linkage, Floor Shift
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. IN APRIL OF 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BEGAN TO FAIL AGAIN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WOULD NOT STOP ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES AND, FINALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT DIMMED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME MOBILE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ONE MONTH AND THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN TWELVE MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,707 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,207. UPDATED 03-09-09 THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOISEY AND WHICH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. UPDATED 03/12/09.

Jan 14, 2009 - Duke, OK - Manual Transmission
2005 VW JETTA CLUTCH FAILURE AT 26K MILES. THERE IS NO WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE, BUT MY CLUTCH WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. WITH CAR DISABLED, THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. VW WON'T COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY DEEM THE CLUTCH AS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS DISCUSSION BOARDS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S TIME FOR A RECALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES. THEY ARE NOT GOING OUT BECAUSE OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES WERE MADE AND PUT IN THESE CARS AND VW IS MAKING CUSTOMERS PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES. IF I HAD BEEN IN A REMOTE LOCATION, I COULD'VE BEEN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR HOURS AND COULD'VE BEEN STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, WITH THE CLUTCH NOT WORKING, IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING FAST, WHEN I APPLIED THE BREAKS, IT COULD'VE JERKED TO A HALT AND I COULD'VE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Aug 29, 2008 - Charlotte, MI - Manual Transmission
I HAVE A 2005.5 VW JETTA TDI WITH A 5 SPEED MANUAL. IT HAS A SACHS CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN GIVING ME ISSUES FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES. IT FINALLY FAILED ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK IN RUSH HOURS TRAFFIC AND DISABLED ME. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AVOID INJURY ON I-96 IN NOVI MICHIGAN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BTY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY ARE NOT HELPING OUT THE CONSUMERS. THEY HAVE A TSB ISSUED ON NOV. 7, 2007 #03 07 01. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET VW TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND HELP US OUT? IT IS GOING TO COST ME $3,000 FOR THE REPAIR NOT TO MENTION I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID INJURY ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. PERHAPS THE NEXT PERSON WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY?

Aug 25, 2008 - Deep River, CT - Manual Transmission
THURSDAY AUG 14, 2008 I WAS EXITING OFF THE HIGHWAY RT 9 EXIT 5 IN CT. THE EXIT IS AT THE TOP OF A HILL SO I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND COASTED TO THE BOTTOM. MY CAR IS A 2005 NEW JETTA WITH 2.5L 5 CYL 5 SPEED MANUAL. I HAVE ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH OR TRANSMISSION. AS I STARTED COASTING I SHIFTED THE CAR TO SECOND GEAR NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE EXIT BUT DIDN'T RELEASE THE CLUTCH. I HEARD A LOAD BANG SOUND AND THE CLUTCH ENGAGED. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY NOSE DIVED AND THE ENGINE RACED TO REDLINE. THE CLUTCH PEDDLE WAS ON THE FLOORBOARD AND WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAD TO LOCKUP THE BRAKES TO FORCE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR AND COASTED TO THE STOP SIGN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING ME AT THE TIME AS I WOULD HAVE REARENDED FOR SURE. AT THE STOP SIGN THE CLUTCH PEDAL CAME UP OFF THE FLOOR AT THE CLUTCH PARTIALLY WORK SO I DROVE THE CAR TO THE COMMUTER PARKING LOT AND LEFT IT TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. FRIDAY AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT THEY DON'T COVER WEAR AND TEAR ON CLUTCH PARTS. THE BILL WOULD BE ABOUT 2400.00 DOLLARS. BECAUSE I HAD 70000 MILES ON THE CAR I WOULD HAVE TO SEE THE PARTS BEFORE I COULD MAKE THAT JUDGMENT AS TO WEAR AND TEAR. SO I TOLD THEM TO FIX IT BUT I WANT THE PARTS. THE FINAL BILL CAME TO 2164.71 DOLLARS. THE PRESSURE PLATE AND FLYWHEEL SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ABUSE OR BURNING. THE CLUTCH HAD PLENTY OF PAD LEFT BUT WAS BROKEN DUE TO THE FORCE OF ENGAGING AT 60 MILE PER HOUR IN SECOND GEAR. THE MECHANICS REASON FOR FAILURE WAS "PRESSURE PLATE BLEW OUT" AND MY BOSS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER SAID IT LOOK LIKE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE NOT A WEAR ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW WHY VW GET TO WASH THEIR HANDS OF THIS UNDER A CAME OF THEY DON'T COVER CLUTCH PARTS UNDER WARRANTY AND WHY I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. IF THIS COULD HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY IT COULD ALSO HAVE HAPPEN AT A STOP LIGHT.

Jun 18, 2008 - College Park, GA - Manual Transmission
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE GEAR WOULD NOT CHANGE INTO SECOND OR THIRD GEAR, AND THE CLUTCH JAMMED INTO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND ARE CHARGING $360 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY WEAR AND TEAR OR A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT ONLY COVERS THE REPAIR IF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT. THE CONTACT WILL LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER UNTIL THEY REPAIR IT FOR FREE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

May 01, 2008 - Frankfort, IL - Automatic Transmission
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ON APRIL 25, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE CLUTCH INTO THIRD GEAR, BUT THE CLUTCH NEVER SHIFTED BACK INTO POSITION. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PIN FOR THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY CHAFFERED AND FAILED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WONDERS IF THE TWO FAILURES ARE RELATED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,210.

Apr 05, 2008 - Huntingtown, MD - Clutch Assembly
CAR DEVELOPED PRONOUNCED ENGINE VIBRATION AT 100,000 MILES. VIBRATION WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SIGNIFICANT NOISE AT IDLE WITH CLUTCH ENGAGED. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS REMOVED AND INSPECTED. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL HAD FAILED AND WAS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE AND VIBRATION. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL WERE REPLACED WITH AN AFTERMARKET SINGLE MASS FLYWHEEL AND MATCHING CLUTCH.

Apr 03, 2008 - Pomona, NY - Power Train2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA BUCKS AND SHAKES WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE SOUNDS LIKE IT JUST WANTS TO SHUT OFF AND NOT RUN. WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP THE LOANER GOT HIT AND DEALER WOULD NOT RETURN HER CAR UNTIL PAYMENT WAS MADE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM HAPPENED, SHE HAD COME TO A FULL STOP. WHEN SHE WENT TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED, STARTING BUCKING AND WAS SLUGGISH. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THE RESET A COMPONENT, HOWEVER 1 MONTH LATER THE PROBLEM RE-SURFACED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT EACH TIME THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED, THE PROBLEM WOULD COME BACK.

Sep 17, 2007 - Chester, MT - Power Train
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT 70 MPH, THE CONTACT PLACED THE CLUTCH IN AND IT FAILED TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DEALER DID NOT CHARGE FOR LABOR. THE PART COST $1,800. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE NOT YET DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF THE SECOND FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Aug 28, 2007 - Basking Ridge, NJ - Clutch Assembly
CLUTCH COMPLETELY FAILED AT 35,000 MILES, SUDDENLY ON A HIGHWAY (THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE, IT WOULD JUST REV REALLY HIGH). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL VW DEALER. THE VW DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAULTY VW PARTS; FAILURE WAS DUE TO A WORN CLUTCH, WHICH I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VW OF AMERICA. I WAS SUSPICIOUS OF THIS DIAGNOSIS, SINCE THE CLUTCH FAILED SO SUDDENLY & IN ALL OF MY YEARS OF DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS (16 YEARS), I HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE A WORN OR DAMAGED CLUTCH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH COST ME $2,070. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, & THAT HE WOULD SHOW ME THE WORN CLUTCH WHEN THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED. WHEN I PICKED UP THE REPAIRED CAR, I ASKED TO SEE THE CLUTCH & FLYWHEEL (FOR SIGNS OF WEAR & HEAT MARKS). THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION; THEY WERE ALREADY DISPOSED OF & IN THE GARBAGE DUMPSTER. AFTER READING SO MANY COMPLAINTS MADE BY EXPERIENCED MANUAL TRANSMISSION DRIVERS ABOUT VW CLUTCHES WEARING PREMATURELY, I BELIEVE THAT THIS CASE MAY BE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I'VE READ ON VW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT FAULTY PRESSURE PLATES AND/OR FLYWHEELS IN THESE NEWER JETTAS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE DAMAGE & EXCESSIVE PREMATURE WEAR TO THE CLUTCH. IN MY CASE, I WASN'T ABLE TO INSPECT THE OLD CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR OTHER SIGNS OF MECHANICAL FAILURE (SINCE THE DEALER DISPOSED OF THE OLD PARTS BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THEM). SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT VW CLUTCHES, I HOPE THEY ISSUE A RECALL & REIMBURSE THE MANY CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE NEEDED TO REPLACE THEIR CLUTCHES SO SOON. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT HAVING TO SPEND $2,070 TO REPAIR A FAULTY CLUTCH IN A CAR THAT IS ONLY 2 YRS OLD. FOR MY NEXT CAR PURCHASE, I AM CONSIDERING BUYING FROM A DIFFERENT CAR COMPANY.

Aug 15, 2007 - Durham, NC - Clutch Assembly
TL CONTACT LEASES A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO SECOND GEAR. SHE ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NEGLIGENT DRIVING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,500. WHILE TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH WHILE SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR, THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PRESSURE PLATE WAS HAD CRACKED INTO 3 PIECES WHICH DESTROYED THE ENTIRE CLUTCH. UPDATED 09/05/07.

Aug 14, 2007 - Durham, NC - Clutch Assembly
MY 2005 JETTA HAS A BROKEN PRESSURE PLATE IN THE CLUTCH. THE INCINDENT MUST HAVE HAPPENED WHILE IT SITTING AFTER BEING DRIVEN, BECAUSE I PARKED IT AND IT WAS ACTING FINE, THEN I GOT BACK IN LATER AND IT WASN'T WORKING. THE CAR HAS ONLY 15K MILES ON IT AND IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR HARD AND ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 10 MILES A DAY, AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL FOR 12 YEARS. VW IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY AND IS TELLING ME THE CLUTCH PROBLEM IS MY FAULT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CLUTCH GOING IN 15K MILES, EVEN IF I WAS A TERRIBLE MANUAL DRIVER WHICH I AM NOT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB, AND IT LOOKS QUITE COMMON FOR THESE CHEAPLY MADE VW CLUTCHES TO BREAK DOWN AND FOR VW TO FIND A WAY TO NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. I NEED HELP STANDING UP AGAINST THEM.

Jun 02, 2007 - Moose, WY - Clutch Assembly
MY FLYWHEEL EXPLODED EARLIER LAST YEAR AND NOW I KNOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN DIESEL JETTAS. I HAD TO HAVE THE CLUTCH AND THE FLYWHEEL REPLACED, AND VOLKSWAGEN WOULD NOT DO IT UNDER WARRANTY.

Dec 15, 2006 - Mechanicsville, VA - Clutch Assembly
WE ASKED OUR DEALERSHIP TO ACQUIRE IT FOR US AFTER OUR 2004 TDI WAS TOTALED. CURRENT VEHICLE IS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WE PURCHASED APRIL 25, 2006 WITH 10583 MILES ON IT. PREVIOUS OWNER WAS VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. ON JULY 2, 2006 WHILE ON VACATION THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY FAILED AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC IT STARTED SMOKING AND THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CLUTCH LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE THEN HAD ABOUT 14-15,000 MILES ON IT. A MAINE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER HAD FAILED AND THE ENTIRE CLUTCH FAILED. TOOK MORE THAN TWO WEEKS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY OUR VIRGINIA DEALER IT WAS REPORTED TO US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CRACKED DUE TO IMPROPER RE-INSTALLATION. VEHICLE THEN HAD 17632 MILES ON IT. IT TOOK ANOTHER TWO WEEKS TO FORCE THE MAINE DEALER TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE IT. ON DEC. 6, 2006 MY WIFE THE VALET PARKING SERVICE BROUGHT THE CAR TO HER WITH CONSIDERABLE SMOKE COMING FROM THE CLUTCH AND THE STATEMENT THAT IT HAD "BURNED OUT" WHILE TRYING TO COME UP A RAMP. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS ABUSE CAUSED THE CLUTCH TO FAIL AND CRACK THE FLYWHEEL IN THREE PLACES AND WARRANTY FOR THE FLYWHEEL WAS DENIED. WE HAVE OWNED MORE THAN SIX STANDARD TRANSMISSION AUTOMOBILES OVER OUR MORE THAN 3 0 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH FAIL OTHER THAN THE 2 FAILURES IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS WITH THIS VOLKSWAGEN. INTERNET RESEARCH INFORMS US THAT THIS IS A VERY PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGENS. CLEARLY THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL IS DEFECTIVE IN THIS VEHICLE AND THE CLUTCH IS IN GENERAL PRONE TO VERY PREMATURE FAILURE.

Aug 11, 2006 - Costa Mesa, CA - Automatic Transmission
PRETTY MUCH SINCE I LEASED MY CAR IN APRIL OF 05 THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS. WHEN I WOULD PUT MY CAR INTO REVERSE IT WOULD SHIFT HARD. THEN 3 MONTHS LATER I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PUT IT BACK ON THE BRAKE FOR IT TO GO INTO REVERSE. AS TIME WENT ON WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ENGAGE INTO REVERSE IT WOULD BOUNCE BACK. NOW WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE I CAN TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK AND LEAVE IT OFF FOR 5 MINUTES AND NOTHING, NO REVERSE. I CAN PUMP MY BRAKES AND NO REVERSE. I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO REVERSE FOR IT TO GO INTO REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT IS NORMAL. BUT IT IS FAR FROM NORMAL. I JUST WANT THEM TO TAKE BACK THE CAR. NOW MY DRIVE IS STARTING TO ENGAGE HARD.

Aug 01, 2006 - Ashburn, VA - Automatic Transmission, Control Module (Tcm, Pcm)
DEALERSHIP: LINDSAY VOLKSWAGEN OF DULLES MANUFACTURER: VOLKSWAGEN I HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM VW CUSTOMER CARE SINCE MY INITIAL COMPLAINT, FILED 10.27.05 AT 9:12 P.M., REFERENCE NUMBER 804030825. I CALLED IN NOV 05' TO CHECK ON THE STATUS AND A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TOLD ME I SHOULD FILE AGAIN (I HAVE A REFERENCE NUMBER FOR THAT, TOO). I'VE YET TO HEAR FROM THEM TO THIS DAY. SINCE I BOUGHT MY VW JETTA TDI 05' IN MARCH 05, I HAVE DOCUMENTED HOW THE VW DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION MODULE COMPONENT, DEALT WITH OCCURRING PROBLEMS WITH THE ASR LIGHT AND A SEPARATE GLOW PLUG LIGHT SITUATION, PLUS UPPER FRONT STRUT MOUNTS REPLACEMENTS. EACH INCIDENT HAS EQUALLY COLORFUL STORIES TOO DETAILED FOR YOUR DATABASE CHARACTER LIMITATIONS.

Jul 13, 2006 - Atlanta, GA - Clutch Assembly
I WAS DRIVING AND DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH IN MY CAR, AT WHICH TIME I FELT A SNAP AND I COULD NO LONGER CHANGE GEARS. IT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN ABOUT FORTY MINUTES LATER, BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AT TIMES. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE WAS NOT RELEASING PROPERLY AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY INCLUDING THE FLYWHEEL, AND THAT THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS ONLY 35000 MILES AND IS UNDER WARRANTY FOR MORE THAN 70000 MILES. THIS REPAIR IS QUOTED TO COST ME OVER 2000 DOLLARS.

Jul 07, 2006 - Honolulu, HI - Clutch Assembly
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PROCEEDING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CLUTCH SHATTERED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED REPAIRS AT COST. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED COMPLAINTS FOR THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE A HIGH NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RELATING TO A SHATTERED CLUTCH. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

May 22, 2006 - Manchester, TN - Clutch Assembly
WHILE ENTERING THE INTERSTATE AND UPSHIFTING INTO 5TH GEAR, THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED. THE CLUTCH STUCK TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CLUTCH DISC WHICH DISINTEGRATED AND WAS NOT COVERED SINCE IT WAS CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE SO THE OWNER THEN PAID TO MAKE THE REPAIRS, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

Feb 20, 2006 - Blaine, WA - Clutch Assembly
I NOW OWN A 2005. 5 NEW BODY STYLE JETTA TDI WITH JUST UNDER 15,000 MILES ON IT AND IN 5TH I CAN FEEL THE CLUTCH SLIPPING AT TIMES WHICH I FEEL IS UN-ACCEPTABLE. AND YES I DO KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL DIESEL, TDI AND NON-TDI.

Feb 09, 2006 - San Rafael, CA - Automatic Transmission
AT COLD-START, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATES THEN LURCHES INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, WHICH IS ESPECIALLY UNNERVING WHEN DRIVING IN AREAS WITH IN/DECLINES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ROLLS LIKE A MANUAL. TOLD BY THE DEALER TWICE THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS FUNCTIONING TO MFG SPECS. THIS IS A PROBLEM.

Jun 02, 2005 - Meriden, CT - Automatic Transmission
THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS AND I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT IT AS WELL, SO THAT VW WILL EVENTUALLY BE FORCED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS MALFUNCTION. WHEN I START MY CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR AND HOUR OR MORE, I PLACE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUT IT EITHER INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, AND IF I AM ON ANY HILL, VERY SMALL OR LARGE, WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL ROLL DOWNHILL. THE FIRST FEW TIMES THIS HAPPENED, I ALMOST ROLLED THE CAR OVER A CURB AND DOWN A LARGE EMBANKMENT. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR IS TO APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN, AND THEN RELEASE THE BRAKE AND QUICKLY APPLY THE GAS. WHEN THAT IS DONE, THE CAR VERY ABRUPTLY JUMPS INTO GEAR.

May 17, 2005 - Box Springs, GA - Clutch Assembly
MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2005 VW JETTA TDI (1.9 LITER DIESEL ENGINE) IN OCTOBER OF 2004. THIS VEHICLE HAD A HEATING ELEMENT THAT WAS BAD AND EVENTUALLY FIXED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. SINCE APPROX. DECEMBER OF 2004 WE HAVE EXPERIENCED INCREASED PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH DISENGAGING FROM THE FLYWHEEL WHILE SHIFTING UP OR DOWN AND WHILE PASSING CARS. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THE CAR (SINCE 2001) HAS A DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL ASSEMBLY INSTALLED BY VW THAT IS AT ROOT OF PROBLEM. THE TWO LAYERED FLYWHEEL IS BECOMING OVER HEATED AND WARPING THE CLUTCH DISC ABNORMALLY IN CERTAIN SPOTS. SOME MECHANICS AND ENGINEERS HAVE SPECUALATED IMPROPER DESIGN, AND OTHERS SAID TRANSMISSION BOLTS AROUND FLYWHEEL WERE PROBABLY OVERTIGHTENED AT MANUFACTURER. EITHER WAY, OUR CLUTCH IS DISENGAGING BY ITSELF FROM THE FLYWHEEL AFTER WE DRIVE CAR FOR 60 OR 70 MILES AT ONE TIME (AND CAR IS HEATED UP). THE CLUTCH DISENGAGES AFTER SHIFING UP OR DOWN AND SOMETIMES WHILE PASSING, CAUSING PROBLEMS NEGOTIATING SPEEDS. THIS MEANS LACK OF CONTROL FROM THE DRIVER WHICH EQUALS SAFETY HAZARD FOR MOST. OUR CAR STARTED THIS AT 11,500 MILES, BUT DEALER IS REFUSING WARRANTY WORK BECAUSE HIS SERVICE ADVISOR FAILED TO NOTE THE PROBLEM WE REQUESTED TO HAVE CHECKED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER IS ALSO DENYING IT IS A CLUTCH/FLYWHEEL PROBLEM SINCE HE CAN NOT DUPLICATE IT IN FIFTEEN MINUTES, BUT HAS REFUSED TO LOOK ANY FURTHER. MOST RESEARCH I HAVE DONE SHOWS THOUSANDS OF VW JETTA CUSTOMERS WITH SAME PROBLEM BETWEEN 11K AND 20K MILEAGE (FROM 2001 TO 2005 MODELS).

Apr 29, 2005 - Calistoga, CA - Automatic Transmission
IN THE MORNINGS THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, YOU HAVE TO LET OFF ON THE BRAKE AND REVERSE THE ENGINE A BIT, THEN THE CAR JUMPS INTO REVERSE, SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTLY LURCHES BACKWARD. DEALERS RESPONSE: BACK YOUR CAR INTO YOUR GARAGE OR PARKING SPACE AT NIGHT SO YOU DON'T NEED TO USE REVERSE IN THE MORNING.

Jan 12, 2005 - Irvine, CA - Automatic Transmission
THIS PROBABLY IS THE SAME AS THE EXISTING COMPLAINT NUMBER 10079735 FOR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 04. 1. IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN IT IS COLD. IF IT IS COLD, THE PROBLEM IS REPEATABLE. 2. WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKE, WE MOVE THE SHIFT FROM PARK TO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE (IT'S THE SAME). THEN NORMALLY, TORQUE IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH DRIVESHAFT THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, JETTA DOES NOT FUNCTION AS SUCH. 3. THE TRANSMISSION ONLY CAN ENGAGES WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE ALMOST COMPLETELY. UP TO THE POSITION, IT IS THE SAME AS NEUTRAL. THAT INTRODUCES SUDDEN AND ABRUPT START OF THE CAR.